Neil

Simon, I have the one with the neoprene seals, there is no collar,or protective cuffs. Brian's one has latex seals and has the collar and adjustable cuffs on the wrists and ankles. Both versions seem quite dry to be honest. Slightly off topic, but I fished our Plaice mark on Saturday night past. Steven got a very small Plaice ! The area is awash with small codlings at the moment. Certainly a good sign for the future. I will let you know when the spring Plaice arrive if you fancy another bash. Have a good un at the Boatshow. Neil.

One has latex seals, the other neoprene. The collars and cuffs are in place to protect the latex from UV damage and flying hooks..... Neil.

I have the std Pro, my brother has the version with the collar. There's loads of differences. Well worth the extra £60.00. The £265.00 version has latex seals and guards on the wrist and ankle cuffs as well. There is also a pocket on the upper body. Both suits are breathable. The £205 model has neoprene seals on the neck and cuffs , these do not seal as good as the latex option but are a bit more comfortable. Neil.

All the best for 2007 to you all. Let's hope the weather improves for 2007. Neil.

Merry Christmas to everyone I hope Santa is good to you all . Tight lines for 2007. Neil.

I use an OK paddle leash but I have whipped a retaining loop in at the paddle end of the cord. There are padlle retaining loops on a P13 but you can't operate them when your fingers are numb with cold. I have fitted a loop on the paddle end of my leash. I have a caribina on the yak at my R/H side that clips onto the loop on the leash. This keeps the paddle on a leash but yet right by my side for easy access. Neil.

I agree with what you say on the whole, but someone wrote a letter to SA and it was published without research. That is the issue. As editor he should have looked into the comments and had the final word on publishing. Safety is paramount when near, or on the sea, this applies to all diciplines of the sport, not just Kayaks. Mell is quite happy to run articles on shore fishing in NE Scotland where an angler can be seen in the pictures within feet of a surging 20' swell, with NO safety equipment what so ever. But to run an article on SOT's fishing on an inshore mark in relatively calm conditions, could this be deemed more dangerous in comparison ? I can walk into WH Smith and pick up a monthly on, Crossbows, Shotguns, Fast cars , even blowing up buildings. I think the humble Sea Kayak might just be the safer option. As you say , he is entitled to his opinion. But I think if he had said that all small boat owners are destroying the Envoironment with high levels of Emissions ,and should stop immediatley, he would have been told where to go. If his personal opinion is that Kayaks are unsafe for offshore use then fine. But in his position ,commercially damaging opinions should be kept out of print. Anyway here's a pic from today taken offshore in the middle of December, my brother endangering his life in a SOT Kayak. And yes, we carry flares, VHF, GPS, Sounder, 1st Aid Kit, spare paddle, water, and kitchen sink to name but a few. Merry Christmas Neil.

Tell him to get some back issues of BFM, all the info he needs will be in there.... Neil.

What a load of twoddle. "more likely to capsize in bigger swells offshore" Where I come from the biggest swells are inshore, it only builds when it hits shallow inshore water. Get offshore to cleaner waves. "with no fixed radio " A hand held in an aquapac is better than fixed unit in a sunk boat ! "and few anglers would take a hand held radio with them " How would you know ? Carried out some sort of survey we don't know about ! "The accident stats for these crafts are going to rise before long " Crystal ball journalism... "I skipper a 17ft boat" And when was the last time you went to sea wearing a full dry suit with a pfd and flares in your top pocket. Fully prepared to take a dunk. "can fish in a couple of feet of water and nose my way around rocks in perfect safety " On a fine day I take it, when there is less than 23" of swell running. "so I cant see the advantages of going to sea in a cockleshell " Open your eyes , think about it, running costs, accessibility, environmental issues,,to mention but a few. Horses for courses I would say. Don't knock it if you can't be bothered to try it out first. Neil.

What about Scotland, On second thoughts maybe not. If you think your having crap weather.....my Kayak's been in the rack for 4 weeks now. Gales one day then strong winds the next. It's daylight for around 6 hours a day at the moment. If it's not snowing it's raining, hey ho , tis the season to be jolly...... Neil.

I suppose that depends who is Paddling. Neil.

Your not wrong there Simon .The thing is it's not much warmer in the summer up here. It's on the air that warms up a bit. Neil.

I'm selling due to lack of use. I got it to use as a second yak and take my daughter out on. She can't manage it, she found it to big and heavy. It's a big boat but and very stable as well. I was going to rig it with hatches etc but got a fright at the cost involved. My old P13,s looking a bit tired and needing a rest so I am going to use the funds from the XL to go towards a new Elite. Once retired the P13 will be a better tub for the wee one. Neil.

1/. Prowler 13, approx £529 Ready to go if it's an Angler version. A safe option for close range fishing, ie; 10 mile round trip day trips 2/. Scupper Pro, approx £429 A faster kayak with a smaller cockpit than the p13, if yer legs are long, try it first. Not so good for fluff chuckers. Side saddle is a bit awkward but the forward storage is better than the P13. 3/. Dorado, approx £1395 Ask Simon. IMHO, a composite yak with the speed of a Scupper pro but with loads of stability and storage. If you have the funds, a good choice. 4/. Prowler Elite, approx £569 Honestly, no idea. What I have seen is good. I am getting mine next year so I can't advise on something I have yet to paddle. To answer your question. There is not one specific yak that will suit all situations. At the mo , a P13 would be my recomendation . After it's rigged with the goodies you could be looking at a figure nearer £1000.00 for a fishing ready version. Neil.

I would love to Richi but It's a bit far for me for a winter hike. I was repying to Dave's post, refering to the weather in Cumbria. That's only a 2 hour drive for me. Neil.

Pitty you don't fancy the Malibu 11 XL . I'm moving mine on for £300.00 if your interested. Bought it this year and used it 3 times. It's bargain at twice the price... Neil.

Sounds good to me for a shore fishing mission, might just have to travel West and pay you a visit Neil.

P13 Doug, just shout when you want a paddle. I'm sure we can let you try out a few different models if you want. Plenty sheltered water in the Forth on a winters day for a dunk. Neil.

Jon, I have a P13 and a Malibu 11 XL. There's no contest , with the same applied effort the p13 will leave the Malibu in it's wake. On the drift the malibu has more windage as well. The Malibu is a Nice stable boat but a pig to paddle any distance. If you want a Yak that's quick get a Scupper Pro. Neil.

Don't be tempted by using the Lakeland Plastics ones. At first they looked ok and were a good price. To be fair Lakeland market them for beach use rather than what we use them for. The problem with them is the fold over seal at the opening. They crack and leak after a few outings. The Aquapacks range are certainly up to the job though. Neil.

Great report and some topping pictures. It looks a wee bit on the bumpy side though.. Neil.

Sorted, Even got her indoors to put her name down as well. Neil

Could not resist that one martin , 10lb + Cod from a couple of weeks ago.... Sorry..

When your reels came were the handles removed and taped to the drum ? If so where was the attachment screw packaged. I have had words with the supplier as the screw was missing on mine. It's not a problem as I have fitted a different handle anyway. I changed the line on mine for 65kg Dacron Black line. The line that came on it was ok as you say, but I needed to get 500' onto the reel. I often anchor in deeper water and the thinner braid is just the job. I used mine today and hauled up from 350' . It worked fine apart from the improvised handle... . Plan B.... Neil.

Four seasons in one day, looking at the pics. No T shirts like in last weeks report though.... Good reading all the same. It was only 3 degrees C this afternoon up here.... Winters here... Neil